small planer

oldbeachbum | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on September 17, 2006 07:59am

Hello everyone,

I am finally getting a lifelong dream, dedicated space for a small shop. Of course I NEED everything new, right? What I’m really trying to do is decide on a portable planer. I’d like something like the DW735 but I’ve read about how they seem to eat their own blades quite frequently. In that price range $400-$600, small shop (450sq/ft) do any of you have any suggestions.?

I imagine this has been done several times but could you please steer me toward reviews, websites, magazines or whateverthat may be relatively current.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

bum

…a bad day at the beach is better than a good day anywhere else… 🙂

Replies

forestgirl | Sep 17, 2006 06:44pm | #1
If you can afford the DeWalt, go for it! First of all, the blade-dulling complaints aren't universal. Second of all, non-DeWalt replacement are supposedly available at Infinity Tools. You could call them and verify.

forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
art | Sep 17, 2006 08:00pm | #2
Makita consistently get high marks. I've had mine for 15 years with the only maintenance required being blade replacement. Art
bps092 | Sep 17, 2006 09:30pm | #3
I was going to get the dewalt, but I went with the rigid.. it's $150 cheaper, comes with a stand lifetime warranty and extra knives. The dewalt is obviously a for sure brand, but I felt hte rigid 13" had a better value. I figured, if the rigid didn't perform, I would just return it and get the dewalt. But if I got the dewalt, it was likely great so I would never know which would be a better value for me. There are a few planers out there though.
JMartinsky | Sep 17, 2006 11:28pm | #4
Makita, just bulletproof.

John

Edited 9/17/2006 4:29 pm ET by Jmartinsky
alanplanesaw | Sep 18, 2006 02:57am | #5
I have a Makita, about 3 or 4 years old, lot of lumber has gone through it. No problems.

Alan - planesaw
DJK | Sep 18, 2006 05:09pm | #6
For $600 I'll sell my Powermatic 221 planer. Theee PERFECT small shop machine.

DJK
cadiddlehopper | Sep 19, 2006 04:07am | #7
I'm very satisfied with my Delta 22-565 (22-560 + stand). I never had trouble with a 22-540 except snipe. It worked when I sold it after several (can't remember how many) years. Don't expect any portable to take huge bites.

Cadiddlehopper
bones | Sep 19, 2006 04:31pm | #8
I've had the 12" makita 2012 for over 17 years. I liked the fact that blades were reversable. You dull one side flip it over. When that side is dull you chuck it and replace it with new ones. About $30 per set. It comes with little magnetic holders, so blade inserting is dead on each time. Takes 15 min to change over if that. Still going strong. I will say I am a hobbyist and not an everday user. I keep it under my bench when not in use. Good luck on the decistion.